ALBERT LEA – Sen.

Thursday, February 15, 2001

ALBERT LEA – Sen. Grace Schwab, R-Albert Lea, checked into Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea on Wednesday with a high fever and flulike symptoms.

Schwab said doctors suspect a problem with her colon and have scheduled exploratory surgery for today.

"This isn’t the way I wanted to spend my Valentine’s Day," Schwab said from her hospital room Wednesday afternoon.

Originally diagnosed with the flu over the weekend, Schwab was sent home with orders to rest. She felt ill all week, legislative assistant John Cooney said, and did not attend any legislative functions.

Schwab said her symptoms persisted all week, and worsened Wednesday morning, when, on her doctor’s advice, she was admitted for tests.

"I wasn’t feeling any better, and I had a fever that had me worried," Schwab said. "I thought it would be better to spend a couple of days in the hospital than chance it."

According to Cooney, Schwab is anxious to get back to work, and hopes to be back in St. Paul early next week.